Abstract: The present application discloses a cassette assembly including an inlet cassette plate, an outlet cassette plate, and a separation layer disposed therebetween. The inlet cassette plate defines an inlet flow path and an inlet channel extending therefrom. The outlet cassette plate is configured to be arranged in a stack with the inlet cassette plate and defines an outlet flow path and an outlet channel extending therefrom. The separation layer extends from a first lateral end to a second lateral end. The inlet flow path is configured to be in fluid communication with the outlet flow path through the separation layer. The inlet channel defines an effective inlet surface area of the separation layer and the outlet channel defines an effective outlet surface area of the separation layer. The effective inlet surface area defines a first width towards the first lateral end and a second width towards the second lateral end.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a cassette assembly. An inlet cassette plate defines an inlet cassette inlet flow path and an inlet cassette outlet flow path. An outlet cassette plate is configured to be arranged in a stack with the inlet cassette plate. The outlet cassette plate defines an outlet cassette inlet flow path configured to be laterally aligned with the inlet cassette inlet flow path, and an outlet cassette outlet flow path configured to be laterally aligned with the inlet cassette outlet flow path. An inlet plug is configured to be inserted in the outlet cassette inlet flow path. An outlet plug is configured to be inserted in the inlet cassette outlet flow path. The inlet and outlet plugs are configured to be removable and reinsertable. A separation layer is disposed between the inlet cassette plate and the outlet cassette plate.

Abstract: Provided herein are substrates for matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric analysis. Each spot includes 3-hydroxypicolinic acid matrix and no analyte.

Abstract: Capture compounds and collections thereof and methods using the compounds for the analysis of biomolecules are provided. In particular, collections, compounds and methods are provided for analyzing complex protein mixtures, such as the proteome. The compounds are multifunctional reagents that provide for the separation and isolation of complex protein mixtures. Each compound has the formula: wherein: Z is a trityl derivative; X, the reactivity function, covalently binds to amino acid side chains of proteins; Y, the selectivity function, modulates binding of X to the amino acid side chains in proteins such that X binds to fewer proteins when Y is present than in its absence; and Q permits separation or immobilization of the capture compound. Automated systems for performing the methods also are provided.

Abstract: Capture compounds and collections thereof and methods using the compounds for the analysis of biomolecules are provided. In particular, collections, compounds and methods are provided for analyzing complex protein mixtures, such as the proteome. The compounds are multifunctional reagents that provide for the separation and isolation of complex protein mixtures. Each compound has the formula: wherein: Z is a trityl derivative; X, the reactivity function, covalently binds to amino acid side chains of proteins; Y, the selectivity function, modulates binding of X to the amino acid side chains in proteins such that X binds to fewer proteins when Y is present than in its absence; and Q permits separation or immobilization of the capture compound. Automated systems for performing the methods also are provided.

Abstract: Capture Collections of capture compounds and collections thereof and methods using the compounds collections for the analysis of biomolecules are provided. In particular, collections, compounds and methods are provided for analyzing complex protein mixtures, such as the proteome. The compounds in the collections are multifunctional reagents that provide for the separation and isolation of biomolecules in complex protein mixtures. In the collections, each and every compound in the collection, has the formula: Z is a trityl derivative, each of m and n independently is an integer that is 1 to 100; X, the reactivity function, covalently binds to amino acid side chains of biomolecules; Y, the selectivity function, modulates binding of X to the amino acid side chains in biomolecules such that X binds to fewer biomolecules when the selectivity moiety Y is present than in its absence; and Q permits separation or immobilization of capture compounds in the collection.

Abstract: Fast and highly accurate mass spectrometry-based processes for detecting a particular nucleic acid sequence in a biological sample are provided. Depending on the sequence to be detected, the processes can be used, for example, to diagnose a genetic disease or chromosomal abnormality; a predisposition to a disease or condition, infection by a pathogenic organism, or for determining identity or heredity.

Abstract: Provided herein are substrates for matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric analysis. Each spot includes 3-hydroxypicolinic acid matrix and no analyte.

Abstract: Provided herein are substrates for matrix-assisted laser-desorption ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometric analysis. Each spot includes 3-hydroxypicolinic acid matrix and no analyte.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for dispensing tools that can be employed to generate multi-element arrays of sample material on a substrate surface. The substrates surfaces can be flat or geometrically altered to include wells of receiving material. The tool can dispense a spot of fluid to a substrate surface by spraying the fluid from the pin, contacting the substrate surface or forming a drop that touches against the substrate surface. The tool can form an array of sample material by dispensing sample material in a series of steps, while moving the pin to different locations above the substrate surface to form the sample array. The invention then passes the prepared sample arrays to a plate assembly that disposes the sample arrays for analysis by mass spectrometry. To this end, a mass spectrometer is provided that generates a set of spectra signal which can be understood as indicative of the composition of the sample material under analysis.

Abstract: Methods for dispensing tools that can be employed to generate multi-element arrays of sample material on a substrate surface. The resulting substrates are also provided. The substrates surfaces can be flat or geometrically altered to include wells of receiving material. The tool can dispense a spot of fluid to a substrate surface by spraying the fluid from the pin, contacting the substrate surface or forming a drop that touches against the substrate surface. The tool can form an array of sample material by dispensing sample material in a series of steps, while moving the pin to different locations above the substrate surface to form the sample array. The prepared sample arrays are passed to a plate assembly that disposes the sample arrays for analysis by mass spectrometry. To this end, a mass spectrometer is provided that generates a set of spectra signals that are indicative of the composition of the sample material under analysis.

Abstract: Fast and highly accurate mass spectrometry-based processes for detecting a particular nucleic acid sequence in a biological sample are provided. Depending on the sequence to be detected, the processes can be used, for example, to diagnose a genetic disease or chromosomal abnormality; a predisposition to a disease or condition, infection by a pathogenic organism, or for determining identity or heredity.

Abstract: Gradient arrays for the analysis of biomolecules are provided. In particular, arrays and methods are provided for analyzing complex protein mixtures, such as the proteome. The arrays provide bifunctional reagents that allow for the separation and isolation of complex protein mixtures. Automated instruments for performing the methods are also provided.

Abstract: Fast and highly accurate mass spectrometry-based processes for detecting particular nucleic acid molecules and sequences in the molecules are provided. Depending upon the sequence to be detected, the processes, for example, can be used to diagnose a genetic disease or a chromosomal abnormality, a predisposition to a disease or condition, or infection by a pathogen, or for determining identity or heredity. One aspect provides a process for determining whether a target nucleotide is present in a nucleic acid molecule including hybridizing a nucleic acid molecule with a primer oligonucleotide; contacting the hybridized primer with deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, chain terminating nucleotides and a DNA polymerase, whereby the hybridized primer is extended until a chain terminating nucleotide is incorporated, producing an extended primer, and determining the molecular mass of the extended primer, thereby determining whether the target nucleotide is present in a nucleic acid molecule.

Abstract: Capture compounds and collections thereof and methods using the compounds for the analysis of biomolecules are provided. In particular, collections, compounds and methods are provided for analyzing complex protein mixtures, such as the proteome. The compounds are multifunctional reagents that provide for the separation and isolation of complex protein mixtures. Automated systems for performing the methods also provided.

Abstract: Serial and parallel dispensing tools that can deliver defined and controlled volumes of fluid to generate multi-element arrays of sample material on a substrate surface are provided. The substrates surfaces can be flat or geometrically altered to include wells of receiving material. Also provided are tools that allow the parallel development of a sample array. To this end, the tool can be understood as an assembly of vesicle elements, or pins, where each of the pins can include a narrow interior chamber suitable for holding nanoliter volumes of fluid. Each of the pins can fit inside a housing that forms an interior chamber. The interior chamber can be connected to a pressure source that will control the pressure within the interior chamber to regulate the flow of fluid within the interior chamber of the pins. The prepared sample arrays can then be passed to a plate assembly that disposes the sample arrays for analysis by mass spectrometry.

Abstract: Methods for dispensing tools that can be employed to generate multi-element arrays of sample material on a substrate surface. The resulting substrates are also provided. The substrates surfaces can be flat or geometrically altered to include wells of receiving material. The tool can dispense a spot of fluid to a substrate surface by spraying the fluid from the pin, contacting the substrate surface or forming a drop that touches against the substrate surface. The tool can form an array of sample material by dispensing sample material in a series of steps, while moving the pin to different locations above the substrate surface to form the sample array. The prepared sample arrays are passed to a plate assembly that disposes the sample arrays for analysis by mass spectrometry. To this end, a mass spectrometer is provided that generates a set of spectra signals that are indicative of the composition of the sample material under analysis.

Abstract: The invention provides fast and highly accurate mass spectrometer based processes for detecting a particular nucleic acid sequence in a biological sample. Depending on the sequence to be detected, the processes can be used, for example, to diagnose a genetic disease or chromosomal abnormality; a predisposition to a disease or condition, infection by a pathogenic organism, or for determining identity or heredity.

Abstract: Fast and highly accurate mass spectrometry-based processes for detecting a particular nucleic acid sequence in a biological sample are provided. Depending on the sequence to be detected, the processes can be used, for example, to diagnose a genetic disease or chromosomal abnormality; a predisposition to a disease or condition, infection by a pathogenic organism, or for determining identity or heredity.

Abstract: A mass spectrometric method for sequencing nucleic acids using RNA polymerases, including DNA-dependent and RNA-dependent RNA polymerases, is provided. The methods use a modified Sanger sequencing strategy in which RNA polymerase is used to generate a set of nested RNA transcripts obtained by base-specific chain termination. These are analyzed by mass spectrometry. A method of identifying transcriptional terminator sequences or attenuator sequences is also provided.